With the theme “Heritage with Integration and Development”, Hue Festival 2010 kicked off in Ngo Mon Square, attracting tens of thousands of visitors along with particapation of Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong.

The festival was officially kicked of by 20:15 of the day but roads to Ngo Mon square was hustled with vehicles and people heading to the stage location.

However, the weather was not as expected by organizers. When the ceremony begun, it rained. Some people even prepared themselves with rain coats, umbrellas and even with chairs to attend the once-every-two-year festival which was programed into 2 parts.

The first part entitled Vong ngan nam (resonance of thousand years) consisted of series of songs and perfomances denoting timeline from Hoa Lu to Thang Long era and upholding Ho Chi Minh and heritage.

Following up was colorful perfomance Ho Chi Minh dep nhat ten Nguoi (Ho Chi Minh – most beautiful name of all) as a gratitude to Vietnamese people who remember him. Nha Nhac (royal music), Bat Dat dance, Ca Tru (ceremonial singing) and Quan Ho (love duets), and Tay Nguyen gongs were all performed to uphold heritage.

The first part closed up by Chau van (Chant sung for a trance) with participation of 150 performers who impressed their audience with long standing feelings.

Part 2 with the content of Hoi ngo Co do (Accient capital gather-up) enacting gathering up for development with joy of songs in Hue shared with Hanoi, Saigon and friends from the overseas.

Coming to the opening ceremony, audiences seemed to be enjoying a banquet with heritaged being upholded and integrated with representative cultures and a spectacular firework show conducted by Pierre Alain Hubert.

In the meantime, Dem Hoang Cung (Royal Palace by night) was attractive with ancient festive activities such as human chess, royal tea, and people acting as royal officials on horse backs and royal servants. Culinary was also served with Hue sweet soup and many other by-street activities for a remarkable opening night.

Reported by Hong Thuan – Translated by Vi Bao